The 2023 – 2024 wrestling season has quickly come to a close. Between everyone on the team, many goals were attained and great memories were created. 

The team, as a whole, has done well. They have had 8 to 10 wins together, and many individual victories. With there being 2 freshmen on the team and 5 sophomores, it looks like we will have a strong team in the upcoming years. 

This year’s seniors are Blue Bishop (12), a 3-year member, and Kyle Holland (12), a 2-year member. Both boys were asked if they had any advice for the incoming freshman. Bishop stated “At least get on the mat and try it. If you don’t like it, then you at least tried something new.” Holland stated, “You need to fail before you succeed.” 

When some of the boys were asked about how this season went, many responses were similar in the sense that it was good. Boys, including Brennan Jeralds (9) and Kolby Coffey (11), have talked about the growth and overall wellness of the team. Blue Bishop (12) earlier talked about how the team has changed for the better from last year to this year. 

As far as next season goes, Logan Dirden said “I believe Jack Finley (11), Kolby Coffey (11), and I will all go to state next year. We are already lining up for a good year. We have all kinds of summer camps, and this year overall was already pretty good.”

As far as the end of the season looks like, on February 3, wrestling regionals took place here at HHS. Blue Bishop (12) and Logan Dirden (11) both advanced to sectionals. Logan went as an alternative, however, on February 10, Bishop was the only one to advance to state. State was held in Champaign, where Bishop wrestled to obtain a high-ranking spot. In the end, Bishop made it to finals and placed 2nd on February 17.